[Natural History] The Myrianthea; or, Numberless Groups of Changeable Flowers: Intended to Teach, By the Most Ready and Easy Means, The Art of Composing, Drawing, and Colouring Groups of Flowers...

London: Published by J(ohn). Burgis; W. Sams; Hodgson & Co., (1824). Superior Edition. Comprising 67 hand-colored cut-out paper flowers and leaves; four paper-covered cards with hand-colored printed floral designs (each measuring 10 3/8 x 8 5/8 in.; 263 x 219 mm), each with slits for the insertion of above cut-out flowers (one with original blue ribbon on verso, for hanging); one printed instruction booklet, 8vo, 16 pp., with seven illustrations (five folding) and hand-colored shading and coloring guides (paper watermarked 1823); numerous wooden spillikins for the affixing of cut-outs to cards. Housed in original hand-colored pictorial paperboard box, worn and rubbed; scattered wear and soiling to cut-outs and cards. OCLC 563486514 and 9330972

Rare example of John Burgis's very charming interactive manual for the instruction in floral arrangement and flower painting, created for the use of young ladies. While undated, contemporary newspapers indicate this was first published in December 1824.

OCLC locates only two copies, at the University of Delaware Library and at the British Library. We have located one other copy, at the Huntington Library. RBH yields no examples at auction.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance

From the collection of Justin G. Schiller

[Natural History] The Myrianthea; or, Numberless Groups of Changeable Flowers: Intended to Teach, By the Most Ready and Easy Means, The Art of Composing, Drawing, and Colouring Groups of Flowers...